Books published by publisher Lark Books,U.S.

The start to a brand-new children's series puts the fun back in science with a little fizz, foam, and chemistry magic. It's a sure-fire formula for selling success.What could be more entertaining than grossing out parents with a homemade batch of disgusting runny slime? Or making miniature cave stalactites and stalagmites out of saturated salt solutions and string? These 50 irresistible experiments, explained in terms that children will both understand and appreciate, show just how enjoyable science can be--and that's definitely cool. Even the look of the book has real appeal. All the activities appear on colorful illustrated spreads with an engaging cast of kid characters who show how the science fun is done. Most of the experiments use ordinary household materials, and they provide some delightful visual and tactile effects. See what happens when cola and mint come together. (Hint: take cover!) Watch a rubber balloon inflate itself over a bottle. Bounce a raw egg--with no breakage. Every idea is a winner.

A sparkling new entry in the popular Kids' Crafts series. From colorful shoelaces to shimmering amulet bags, these 50 crocheted creations will enchant kids and take them from the very beginning to a more experienced level. Even children who have never picked up a pair of needles will master the fundamentals quickly, thanks to the many detailed directions and instructive, attractive color photos. The fun begins as youngsters try their hand at the basic chain stitch, and then learn to crochet around a ring to make a key chain. Small, accessible projects follow, including a yellow purse with a glass button accent and comfy wool slippers. As kids' skills increase, they can move on to clothes, toys, backpacks, and more.

Going green is a hot topic and a hot science fair project. Author and scientist Elizabeth Snoke Harris knows what impresses, and she provides plenty of winning ideas, along with step-by-step guidance to insure that the end result is a success. Show how to harness energy with windmills, make a biogas generator, and create alternative fuels. Demonstrate green power with recycled paper, solar building, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Test the ozone, be a “garbage detective,” and discuss how to reverse global warming.The importance of what children learn will go even beyond the science fair: they’ll have the knowledge to understand what’s happening to Planet Earth and the desire to do something eco-friendly every day.

To children, the world can seem huge, filled with exciting places to visit and new things to experience. But how can they start uncovering the many treasures that await them? This fun and informative guidebook—the first in a new series—invites kids to embark on an exhilarating scavenger hunt that opens their eyes to things they’ve never imagined before. And there’s no need to go far or plan a big, expensive vacation to see this great stuff. In fact, some of the places may be quite close to home. They can take a peek at what actually goes on at their parents’ office, experience another culture’s cuisine at an ethnic restaurant, immerse themselves in the beauty of nature at a wildlife preserve, or get the inside scoop on what really happens backstage at the theater or even in the teacher’s lounge! And the ideas are just general enough to provide a gentle push in the right direction, while allowing young dreamers to use their imagination and fill in the specifics.In addition to tons of fun facts, lists of little-known sites, and more than 250 color photos, there’s a bonus fold-out map of North America and stickers, so youngsters can mark where they’ve been.

Digital photography is hot, and kids want to get in on the fun. This comprehensive instructional guide, created especially for youngsters, tells them exactly what they need to know to capture those birthday parties, school events, sleepovers, and family vacations. Every important question gets an easy-to-understand answer: What’s a pixel? What is resolution and why does it matter? How can I make computers, scanners, and printers work with my camera? Children will get creative with software that alters and enhances images, and learn new ways to add text, adjust color and brightness, and change a background. Fifteen appealing projects, from turning snapshots into puzzles to crafting unique CD covers, photo magnets, and digital scrapbooks, make this a no-brainer for the budding photographer.